Is anyone an L.P.N. in the Army?

Amberf · Apr 25, 2004

Yeah, LPN's definitely took a huge hit. And it's sad to see, because on the wards/Aid Stations I've worked in, the lpn's that received training/licenses before 91W was implemented have been a major resource for pt care. A lot of times, I've noticed that the 91W just don't have the training/qualifications to operate on the same level that the 91C's did.

And good luck to you as well :)

bccunn · Jun 20, 2004

well, i can see that there is as much confusion by others as there is by the recruiters. 91c did not merge with 91w; 91c is now the asi (army skill identifier) m6. :uhoh3:

what really changed for us...a lot of the ol' 91c's were able finally get promoted, but other than that nothing. supposedly, now that we are all 91w's, the mos takes precedence over the asi. you'll get different feelings on the merge, the fact still remains that when you call da for assignments, the first thing they say is, "aren't you a m6?"

91w is a 16-week course, once you complete it you are cpr provider, an nremt, and a 91w; two certifications you can really use in the civilian sector or to moonlight in the military.

if m6 is in your contract (again watch the recruiters, some are still under the misconception that 91w and m6 are the same), you will literally walk across the field to the phase 1 site of m6. incidentally, for all you old 91c's out there...the course now consists of 3 phases. so many m6's were completing the course but not getting their license that an extra month has been added during which the candidate goes through more nclex specific training and gets their license before hitting their next unit or returning to the reserve unit (we no longer take national guard either). m6 is a 52-week course with 8 weeks of spent at the only phase 1 site, ft. sam houston, texas.

starting earlier this year the class iterations increased from 4 a year to 10 and soldiers no longer have a choice in the phase 2 site, all same-class graduates will go to one site.

we still go to the field, set up depmeds (deployable hospital systems), and can be assigned to forward support battalions or to actual line units; it just depends on the demand. i personally know 5 m6's currently serving in iraq.

incidentally, for a few years, california permitted military trained lpn's to challenge the rn board. for reasons i am unaware they discontinued that, but west virginia offers it also. the training that a military trained lpn receives exceeds that of our civilian counterparts, talk to some of them. we have delivered babies, started blood products, and pushed iv meds. the experience is unparalleled, and provides opportunities that should be considered. the average age of our students is about 20, but i can't even count the number of 17 and 18 year olds that have come through. can you imagine being an lpn at the age of 18? because we are the state of army, nremt now allows our 17 years to receive their nremt license, the nremt used to hold it until the soldiers 18th birthday.

i am a 91w4hm6 - healthcare specialist (91w), sfc, instructor, licensed practical nurse. i have had a california rn license for about 4 years, and have about every certification that i could take time to go to. basic life support instructor trainer, nremt, phtls (pre-hospital trauma life support), nals (neonatal life support), acls (advance cardiac life support).

i think i also saw a question in there asking why someone who is an rn would stay enlisted or come in enlisted versus being an officer. the answer is school loans, if a soldier with school loans comes in enlisted, uncle sam will pay off up to $60,000. in a class last cycle, i had an enlisted soldier who was a dvm. he came in for 4 or 6 years (can't recall which), uncle sam paid off all his school loans, he will get military and medical experience and leave the army debt free. later, after serving the time, if he wanted to stay in and transfer to the officer side, he could.

there are great opportunities, but with it comes big demands. you can't go into nursing for the money, we have secretaries that are not required to save lives that make more than we do, you have to love working with people and the purpose for your skills. you gotta love it!

armygirl · Jun 20, 2004

thank you. that information was very helpful.

well, i can see that there is as much confusion by others as there is by the recruiters. 91c did not merge with 91w; 91c is now the asi (army skill identifier) m6.
what really changed for us...a lot of the ol' 91c's were able finally get promoted, but other than that nothing. supposedly, now that we are all 91w's, the mos takes precedence over the asi. you'll get different feelings on the merge, the fact still remains that when you call da for assignments, the first thing they say is, "aren't you a m6?"
91w is a 16-week course, once you complete it you are cpr provider, an nremt, and a 91w; two certifications you can really use in the civilian sector or to moonlight in the military.
if m6 is in your contract (again watch the recruiters, some are still under the misconception that 91w and m6 are the same), you will literally walk across the field to the phase 1 site of m6. incidentally, for all you old 91c's out there...the course now consists of 3 phases. so many m6's were completing the course but not getting their license that an extra month has been added during which the candidate goes through more nclex specific training and gets their license before hitting their next unit or returning to the reserve unit (we no longer take national guard either). m6 is a 52-week course with 8 weeks of spent at the only phase 1 site, ft. sam houston, texas.
starting earlier this year the class iterations increased from 4 a year to 10 and soldiers no longer have a choice in the phase 2 site, all same-class graduates will go to one site.
we still go to the field, set up depmeds (deployable hospital systems), and can be assigned to forward support battalions or to actual line units; it just depends on the demand. i personally know 5 m6's currently serving in iraq.
incidentally, for a few years, california permitted military trained lpn's to challenge the rn board. for reasons i am unaware they discontinued that, but west virginia offers it also. the training that a military trained lpn receives exceeds that of our civilian counterparts, talk to some of them. we have delivered babies, started blood products, and pushed iv meds. the experience is unparalleled, and provides opportunities that should be considered. the average age of our students is about 20, but i can't even count the number of 17 and 18 year olds that have come through. can you imagine being an lpn at the age of 18? because we are the state of army, nremt now allows our 17 years to receive their nremt license, the nremt used to hold it until the soldiers 18th birthday.
i am a 91w4hm6 - healthcare specialist (91w), sfc, instructor, licensed practical nurse. i have had a california rn license for about 4 years, and have about every certification that i could take time to go to. basic life support instructor trainer, nremt, phtls (pre-hospital trauma life support), nals (neonatal life support), acls (advance cardiac life support).
i think i also saw a question in there asking why someone who is an rn would stay enlisted or come in enlisted versus being an officer. the answer is school loans, if a soldier with school loans comes in enlisted, uncle sam will pay off up to $60,000. in a class last cycle, i had an enlisted soldier who was a dvm. he came in for 4 or 6 years (can't recall which), uncle sam paid off all his school loans, he will get military and medical experience and leave the army debt free. later, after serving the time, if he wanted to stay in and transfer to the officer side, he could.
there are great opportunities, but with it comes big demands. you can't go into nursing for the money, we have secretaries that are not required to save lives that make more than we do, you have to love working with people and the purpose for your skills. you gotta love it!

armygirl · Jun 20, 2004

I was wondering if anyone out knows what it is like to go through 91WM6 as prior service. I am in the Army Reserves and I will be going though this training soon. I have seen some listings about what the experience is like for people coming straight out of basic, but nothing about prior service. I remember that when I went through AIT 15 years ago (for a very different MOS), the prior service soldiers were completely separate from us. Can anyone give me an idea of how it will be for me when I do my training? Thanks.

bccunn · Jun 20, 2004

Armygirl,

You will be assigned to D Co, 187th Med Bn. Billeting is provided and you are permitted to bring your POV. D Co doesn't have Drill Sergeants for prior service, just cadre NCO"s.

Cell phones and laptops are authorized, but not during school hours, too many abused the privilege. Class is from 0830 - 1720 and there is study hall on weekends; mandatory for low GPA's and personnel that have failed tests.

The AMEDDC&S has a library that has 24 PC for use for research and/or checking email, again for use after duty hours and weekends.

Currently, prior service are permitted to drive to school from the billeting area, there is designated parking for students. You show up in time for formations, you are permitted to go where you want for chow as long as you return for the after-lunch formation.

Prior service wear pistol belts just like the IET's, but you are permitted to wear your beret versus the patrol cap. During class prior service and IET work together, after hours....no communication other than on-the-spot corrections.

The Phase 1 is in the same general area with the 91W, Drill Sergeants are everywhere, and there is not a lot of slack cut for prior service. You come for the training, go through the same training as everyone else, and don't involved in anything that you shouldn't. Do what you need to do, act how you are supposed to act for the duration. Just come with the mind frame that you are just a private and everything will be uphill from there.

I have been on both sides of the fence and my mind set was just that, I bit my tongue a lot, but I made it through.

How long was your break in service? Depending on the length, you may not be what is considered a true prior service. The difference, company assignments and living arrangements...everyone here is treated like a private just some get more responsibilities according to thei rank.

Hope this answers your questions, please don't hestitate to ask any others.

armygirl · Jun 20, 2004

Thank you for all of the information.

What is the criteria to be considered prior service?

My service is all over the map: I spent 6 years in the Pa Amy NG. Then I went into the IRR for a short time. Then I was in the Navy reserves for 2 years. Then I spent 1 year in the IRR. After that, I had a break in service for about 2 years. Then I joined the NC National Guard and was in that for 2 years. I then had a break in service for just under a year. Most recently, I joined the Army Reserve this past May.

Thanks again for all of your information,

Susan

Armygirl,
You will be assigned to D Co, 187th Med Bn. Billeting is provided and you are permitted to bring your POV. D Co doesn't have Drill Sergeants for prior service, just cadre NCO"s.
Cell phones and laptops are authorized, but not during school hours, too many abused the privilege. Class is from 0830 - 1720 and there is study hall on weekends; mandatory for low GPA's and personnel that have failed tests.
The AMEDDC&S has a library that has 24 PC for use for research and/or checking email, again for use after duty hours and weekends.
Currently, prior service are permitted to drive to school from the billeting area, there is designated parking for students. You show up in time for formations, you are permitted to go where you want for chow as long as you return for the after-lunch formation.
Prior service wear pistol belts just like the IET's, but you are permitted to wear your beret versus the patrol cap. During class prior service and IET work together, after hours....no communication other than on-the-spot corrections.
The Phase 1 is in the same general area with the 91W, Drill Sergeants are everywhere, and there is not a lot of slack cut for prior service. You come for the training, go through the same training as everyone else, and don't involved in anything that you shouldn't. Do what you need to do, act how you are supposed to act for the duration. Just come with the mind frame that you are just a private and everything will be uphill from there.
I have been on both sides of the fence and my mind set was just that, I bit my tongue a lot, but I made it through.
How long was your break in service? Depending on the length, you may not be what is considered a true prior service. The difference, company assignments and living arrangements...everyone here is treated like a private just some get more responsibilities according to thei rank.
Hope this answers your questions, please don't hestitate to ask any others.

bccunn · Jun 20, 2004

Any break in service longer than 5 years, but you should be okay. If I read your reply right, you have about a one year break from the last break in service.

So, your reserve unit is sending you to be a M6, when? Are you a 91W already? If not, that is a 16-week course and you would end up in any one of the 232nd Medical Battalion companies, A - F. Prior service live in a seperate barracks, but just as with M6 they train with the IET soldiers. During 91W there are a few more time consuming activities required of the prior service.

Just come ready to train, put any distractors on back burners, you wouldn't believe how many fail out because of the excess emotional baggage.

armygirl · Jun 20, 2004

Thank you again for your speedy reply!! Yes, my last break in service was just under one year. I'm glad to know I will be considered prior service.

I am not a 91W yet. I will have to go through that school first.

I don't know when I will be going for my training. No one seems able to tell me. I enlisted on the 3rd of May (M6 is in my contract). My recruiter said that my reserve unit would send me. My unit said they don't actually have anything to do with sending me to training. My reserve unit told me that they will be told when I go and then they will let me know. Not having any idea when I will be leaving or how much notification I will have is very frustrating.

I'm looking forward to the training. It seems like I will learn a lot.

Any break in service longer than 5 years, but you should be okay. If I read your reply right, you have about a one year break from the last break in service.
So, your reserve unit is sending you to be a M6, when? Are you a 91W already? If not, that is a 16-week course and you would end up in any one of the 232nd Medical Battalion companies, A - F. Prior service live in a seperate barracks, but just as with M6 they train with the IET soldiers. During 91W there are a few more time consuming activities required of the prior service.
Just come ready to train, put any distractors on back burners, you wouldn't believe how many fail out because of the excess emotional baggage.

burksj · Aug 4, 2004

I hope you don't mind me eavesdropping on your conversation. My daughter just graduated from BCT on 29 July 2004 and is headed to Ft. Sam Houston for 91W training. This is really good info that I share with her. Thanks so much.

Joni (Army mom)

Armygirl,
You will be assigned to D Co, 187th Med Bn. Billeting is provided and you are permitted to bring your POV. D Co doesn't have Drill Sergeants for prior service, just cadre NCO"s.
Cell phones and laptops are authorized, but not during school hours, too many abused the privilege. Class is from 0830 - 1720 and there is study hall on weekends; mandatory for low GPA's and personnel that have failed tests.
The AMEDDC&S has a library that has 24 PC for use for research and/or checking email, again for use after duty hours and weekends.
Currently, prior service are permitted to drive to school from the billeting area, there is designated parking for students. You show up in time for formations, you are permitted to go where you want for chow as long as you return for the after-lunch formation.
Prior service wear pistol belts just like the IET's, but you are permitted to wear your beret versus the patrol cap. During class prior service and IET work together, after hours....no communication other than on-the-spot corrections.
The Phase 1 is in the same general area with the 91W, Drill Sergeants are everywhere, and there is not a lot of slack cut for prior service. You come for the training, go through the same training as everyone else, and don't involved in anything that you shouldn't. Do what you need to do, act how you are supposed to act for the duration. Just come with the mind frame that you are just a private and everything will be uphill from there.
I have been on both sides of the fence and my mind set was just that, I bit my tongue a lot, but I made it through.
How long was your break in service? Depending on the length, you may not be what is considered a true prior service. The difference, company assignments and living arrangements...everyone here is treated like a private just some get more responsibilities according to thei rank.
Hope this answers your questions, please don't hestitate to ask any others.

MQ Edna · Aug 4, 2004

HI, this is my mom's login name. I am 15 almost 16 years old and I am startin to plan for my future. In 11 grade(year away) I have the oppotunity to take a lpn course in high school through a center of applied tech., my question for all civilians and ilitary folk, is, Do I take the LPN course in highschool, work the job they give me right out of high school, save my money and then go back to school for my RN? Or, do I join the army when i graduate high school and become an Army Medic or RN? My mom and dad were both in the army so I am an army brat and I am thinking about the army but am not sure. Please help, I am so conused

burksj · Aug 4, 2004

I don't know what to tell you except talk to your parents and to a recruiter. I can tell you that my daughter wanted to join the Army since she was a freshman in high school. She is now the happiest I've ever seen her. Good luck to you.

HI, this is my mom's login name. I am 15 almost 16 years old and I am startin to plan for my future. In 11 grade(year away) I have the oppotunity to take a lpn course in high school through a center of applied tech., my question for all civilians and ilitary folk, is, Do I take the LPN course in highschool, work the job they give me right out of high school, save my money and then go back to school for my RN? Or, do I join the army when i graduate high school and become an Army Medic or RN? My mom and dad were both in the army so I am an army brat and I am thinking about the army but am not sure. Please help, I am so conused

bccunn · Aug 5, 2004

tevans95b,

kudos for such inspirations!! at 15-years of age, i do not think i had a clue on any kind of career. okay, let me give you a few ideas with the information that you have provided. you have potential and it is all up to you.

even with your parents signature, you can't join the military until you are 17 years of age, so you have about 2 years to play with. that should give you plenty of time to complete h.s., and a nursing program (if it is a 2-year program).

1 - you go through the lpn course while still in high school and join the army after.

when you enlist give your recruiter copies of the nursing program completion and lpn license. you would still have to go through 91w (16-weeks of training), but once you graduate 91w, you can be sent directly to a duty station because you will already have the requirements to be a m6. (licensed practical nurse)

2 - join rotc while in h.s., they will give you additional rank for the experience; most likely at least a private first class. this website gives you the pay rates as of jan 2004. http://www.dfas.mil/money/milpay/pay/2004paytable.pdf

go through the lpn program, join the military, and all of what i mentioned in #1 applies but you start off with more money because you will have rank.

the army is offering $50,000 for active duty soldiers (3-year enlistment), and $65,000 for school loan repayment (again a 3-yr enlistment). http://www.goarmy.com/benefits/education.jsp

3 - while on active duty uncle sam pays 100% tuition (you pay for the books), so you can still pursue a career as an rn or a pa, or anything that you apply yourself to become.

the pa program that the military offers now has undergone some big changes, graduates of the 2-year program earn a master's degree.....how awesome is that??

you have the potential to be an lpn at the age of 17...the experience and opportunities that are available to you are mind-boggling. you know, you and your parents could go in and talk to a recruiter even know, and they will tell you what you need to do and how to do it.

i hope this information is helpful to you!! good luck and keep us posted!!